Effects of SAR Image Compression on Image Interpretability and Detection Performance.
Abstract
The present study was designed to compare the relative impact of three image compression techniques on the interpretability of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery: multiresolution encoding (MRES), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), and vector quantization (VQ). These three techniques were examined at three compression ratios (8:1, 16:1, and 32:1) and two image resolutions (fine and coarse) to determine which is most suitable for SAR Imagery with respect to image interpretability and utility for target acquisition. Subjective ratings of image interpretability were obtained from six experienced image analysts for original and compressed SAR images via the Radar National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (RNIIRS). The subjective ratings were further supplemented with objective indicators of target detection performance (i.e., hits and false alarms) to permit a comprehensive assessment of each compression technique. For each dependent variable, different scores representing the difference in value for comparable uncompressed and compressed images were computed and analyzed. The results Indicated that MRES was most similar to the uncompressed imagery in terms of both subjective and objective measures of effectiveness and may currently be a more suitable technique for SAR image compression than either JPEG or VQ.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA319463
Entities
People
- Gilbert G. Kuperman
- Judi E. See